On Saturday, King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia experienced a day full of emotions.
Just days after celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary, they presided over the annual Armed Forces Day in Oviedo, a place with special significance for both.
Queen Letizia returned to her homeland with excitement, while King Felipe, closely connected to Asturias, shared the sentiment.
Surprisingly, their eldest daughter, Princess Leonor, was not present despite many expecting her to attend.
Princess Leonor’s Absence at Oviedo
Recently, Princess Leonor had an important day in Aragón, where she received top honors as she nears the end of her first year of military training.
Although it was later confirmed she wouldn’t be at the May 25th event in Oviedo, many hoped she would join her parents at the parade.
Since pledging allegiance to the flag and celebrating her coming of age, Leonor has been a regular at military events.
However, she was absent from the stand alongside her parents this time.
During the RTVE broadcast, a Royal House spokesperson explained Leonor’s absence.
It was confirmed that the Princess of Asturias was missing Armed Forces Day due to training commitments.
Hopes were high for her appearance, but she was engaged in maneuvers at the San Gregorio training ground.
Princess Leonor is in the final stretch of her first year of military training, participating in the last period of instruction and maneuvers with her fellow cadets, lasting until June 7.
Like her peers, she has been fully involved from the start, even though it meant missing this significant day with her parents.
Traditionally, royal family members attend this event. Thirty-eight years ago, then-Prince of Asturias, Felipe, marched before his parents during his military training.
It was expected that Leonor would follow in his footsteps, either as a main participant or as a soldier.
However, Leonor broke tradition, focusing instead on completing her maneuvers and preparing for the final five weeks of her first military course.
Leonor’s first course concludes on June 19, coinciding with the ten-year anniversary of Felipe and Letizia’s ascension to the throne, making the day even more special as they celebrate with her.
After finishing her eleven months of training at “La General” in Zaragoza, she will be promoted to cadet ensign.
She will then enjoy a month-long vacation before starting her second course at the Naval Military School in Marín, Pontevedra.
Leonor’s summer vacation begins officially on July 3, allowing her to reunite with her sister Sofía after many months apart.
Despite some royal duties, the sisters will spend quality time together and with their parents before resuming their respective studies, with Leonor in Galicia and Sofía in Wales.